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Mineral Uses, Properties, Descriptions


Diamonds from Coal?
Diamond formation
Diamonds from Coal? They form under several conditions that rarely involve coal.
What Is Jade?
jade
What Is Jade? Learn about the uses of jade. It has been used to make ornaments and tools for thousands of years..
Synthetic Diamonds
synthetic diamonds
Synthetic Diamonds: Large, nearly-flawless diamonds are now possible with chemical vapor deposition.
Amazing Agate Photos
Agate photos
Beautiful Photos of Agates: A gallery of spectacular agate photos and descriptions prepared by Professor Richard Weston.
Herkimer "Diamonds"
Herkimer Diamonds
Herkimer "Diamonds": These doubly-terminated quartz crystals have been given the popular name "Herkimer Diamonds."
Diamond: The Mineral
Diamond mineral
Diamond: Learn about the properties of diamonds and their many uses. Diamonds are much more than jewelry!
Ametrine Gemstones
Ametrine
Ametrine The Bicolor Amethyst Ametrine is the name used when a single crystal of quartz has zones of gemstone quality amethyst (purple) and gemstone quality citrine (golden) in contact with one another.
Corundum
Corundum
Uses of Corundum: Corundum is a very interesting mineral. It is an exceptionally hard aluminum oxide that forms in igneous and metamorphic rocks.
Rock Tumblers
rock tumblers
Rock Tumblers: Step-by-step guide to tumble-polishing rocks into gemstones. And an article: How to select a tumbler.
If it is not grown, it is mined.
 
Uses of Gold
Gold
The Many Uses of Gold: Learn how the unique properties of gold make it extremely suited for a large number of industrial uses.
Quartz
Quartz
Uses of Quartz: The most abundant mineral found at Earth's surface and its unique properties make it one of the most useful natural substances.
Mineral Chart
Mineral identification chart
Mineral Identification Chart: Printable mineral ID chart by Art Crossman in MS Excel format.
Diamond Inclusions
Diamond inclusions
Platinum Inclusions In Diamonds: Clues to platinum group metal mineralization.
Topaz
Topaz
Uses of Topaz: Topaz uses and properties information. Topaz is a silicate mineral most often found in igneous rocks of felsic composition.
Colored Glass
Minerals make the color in colored glass
Colored Glass Facts: A number of elements are used to produce the beautiful colors in stained and colored glass.
Sea Floor Nodules
Manganese nodules
Manganese Deposition by Bacteria and Algae: The source of sea floor nodules and crusts.
Kyanite
Kyanite
Uses of Kyanite: Kyanite is a metamorphic mineral that most often forms from the high pressure alteration of clay-rich sedimentary rocks.
Guatemala Jade
Fault motion
Tectonic History In Jade: Dates of metamorphism and fault motion locked in jade.
Oil is found first in the mind.
Videos: Panning Gold
how to pan for gold
How to Pan for Gold: Learn about panning by watching four experienced panners.
Uses of Copper
Uses of copper
Copper: One of the first metals widely used by people and now used in almost every industry.
Fireworks & Minerals
Fireworks science
The Science of Fireworks: Learn how fireworks bursts of different shapes and colors are produced through chemistry, physics and art.

Diamond Producers
diamond production
Where are Diamonds Mined? Diamonds are produced by many different countries. Learn which ones are the leaders now.
Rock Tumbling
rock tumbling instructions
Rock Tumbler Instructions: A set of step-by-step tumbling instructions.
More Articles
Calcite Calcite: Found throughout the world in all rock types.
gemstones from the U.S. US Gemstones: What states produce the most gems?
uses of granite Uses of Granite: The rock used for kitchen counter tops to street curbing.
Indium Indium: The metal used in liquid crystal displays (LCDs).
Denver gem and mineral show Denver Gem and Mineral Show: Photo report by Geoffrey Notkin.
Tuscon Gem and Mineral Show Tucson Gem & Mineral Show: Photos of things that we saw.
The present is the key to the past.
 
Mineral Information
 Anhydrite
 Apatite
 Arsenopyrite
 Augite
 Azurite

 Barite
 Bauxite
 Beryl
 Biotite
 Bornite

 Calcite
 Cassiterite
 Chalcocite
 Chalcopyrite
 Chlorite
 Chromite
 Chrysoberyl
 Cinnabar
 Copper
 Cordierite
 Corundum
 Cuprite

 Diamond
 Diopside
 Dolomite

 Enstatite
 Epidote

  Fluorite

 Galena
 Garnet
 Glauconite
 Gold
 Graphite
 Gypsum

 Halite
 Hematite
 Hornblende

 Ilmenite

 Jadeite

 Kyanite

 Limonite
 Magnesite
 Magnetite
 Marcasite
 Molybdenite
 Monazite
 Muscovite

 Nepheline

 Olivine
 Orthoclase

 Plagioclase
 Prehnite
 Pyrite
 Pyrophyllite
 Pyrrhotite

 Quartz

 Rhodochrosite
 Rhodonite
 Rutile

  Serpentine
 Siderite
 Sillimanite
  Silver
 Sodalite
 Sphalerite
 Spinel
 Spodumene
 Staurolite
 Sulfur
 Sylvite

 Talc
 Titanite
 Topaz
 Tourmaline
 Turquoise

 Uraninite

 Witherite
 Wollastonite

 Zircon
 Zoisite
Minerals in the News
Chinese Investments in Afghanistan Mineral Development:  Mineral consumption in China has been growing rapidly...

Spectacular Emerald Found in North Carolina:  Terry Ledford found a 310 carat piece of...

Where Did Life Begin?:  "That age-old question, "where did life on Earth...

Video: Do Diamonds Burn?:  This video features a few quick experiments in...

Diamonds Don't Form From Coal!:  The widespread belief that Earth's diamond deposits were...

The Science of July 4th Fireworks!:  The shapes and colors that you see in...

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